Considering the white napkins and seaside location, one would think this Malibu joint would require a second mortgage for a full night. Instead, high quality seafood dishes can be had here for fair prices, especially considering how much you might pay for the Pacific Ocean view alone (book a golden hour reservation to see Moonshadows in its full glory). It’s somewhere between high-end dining and a great value – worth saving up a bit of extra cash for, but reasonable compared to the celeb-friendly Malibu stalwarts just up the Pacific Coast Highway.

“Beverly Hills.” “Steakhouse.” “Value.” Those usually aren’t words found in the same short story, much less sentence. And while Matu is more of a splurge than other entries on this list, a five-course meal for under $90 in this zip code is, by comparison, a steal. That’s especially true when the main event is a 12-ounce Wagyu ribeye, grass-fed and raised in New Zealand.

The all-day sibling to restaurant/art project Vespertine, this Culver City café showcases chef Jordan Kahn’s creativity at a much more digestible price point. Dishes like the heritage turkey confit on ciabatta bread or the potato waffle with speck, egg, and gruyere cheese emulsion require the same kind of care and attention to detail as the flashier prix fixe of its famous relative — and they certainly will look as good on your social media of choice — but they don’t come as parts of an ongoing narrative or a three-hour meal. It’s just interesting, satisfying food that earned Kahn a spot on 2017’s Food & Wine Best New Chefs list.

The best old-school Hollywood restaurant may be … in Burbank? Eagle-eyed film fans will recognize it from a few big-picture scenes, but being removed from the Hollywood Walk of Fame seems to have kept menu prices in check. Even the steakhouse’s slogan nods to its affordability: “Fine Food at a Fair Price.” Early-week specials like the prime rib and filet mignon epitomize the rallying cry.

Chef Nancy Silverton has three restaurants under one roof at the intersection of Highland and Melrose Avenues (including Osteria Mozza and Chi Spacca). The pizzeria is not only the most affordable, but also turns out pies that are worth every penny. The wood-fire-baked titular pizzas have earned rave reviews from too many major publications to count. Dining here feels like an event because of the restaurant’s fame, but in practice, it’s closer to a trip to the neighborhood pizza joint than you’d imagine.

The California and Mediterranean fusion at this Toluca Lake eatery extends beyond the menu, with its arched doorways, bright interiors, and sandy color scheme. Those wanting to splurge can jump to the “chef’s stash” section of the offerings, but the Ora King Salmon and a glass of wine from the well-selected list will make you feel like the nearby Los Angeles River is actually the Rhône (just squint really, really hard).  

One of Los Angeles’ gems has become such an institution that it’s almost overlooked in a city that loves the newest, hottest place. But this James Beard Award winner (2015, in the America’s Classic category) has been turning out Oaxacan favorites since 1994. How serious is Guelaguetza about the Mexican regional cuisine? Its website is ILoveMole, and it ships starter kits for the sauce across the country. The eatery’s rich mezcal collection (split into beginner, intermediate, and master selections) completes the Oaxacan vibe.

The dark wood and chandelier-lit interior of this Silver Lake institution gives off an expensive bistro vibe, but the menu of small plates and affordable main dishes make it much more approachable. The cocktail menu here is consistently creative, and the well-curated wine list could be at home at an eatery of double the average price. And if the conversation dulls during the night out, the Cat is its own discussion starter: A protected historical site, the Black Cat was the location of one of America’s first pro-LGBT demonstrations, two years prior to Stonewall.

The newest culinary offering at the history Hotel Figueroa, Sparrow can get pricy at the upper end (not that Wagyu ribeye is going to be at dollar-menu prices anywhere), but if you stick to splitting a pasta dish and a pizza you and your plus-one will get plenty of food, an upscale dining experience and, importantly, a short walk to La Casita, the two-story bar overlooking the hotel’s iconic pool. 

Those who want to make sure their dinners leave room for their cocktails can plan an evening at this DTLA stunner for less than might be imagined. Lighter eaters will enjoy the elevated bistro favorites like the smoked duck wings or the black mussels and fries, and the Wolves Burger and fries looks fancy on the menu while also being satisfying to the taste buds. Even with that, the stars of the show are the high ceilings, intricate ironwork, and ornate ceiling; it’s a stop that looks as good as it tastes. Pro tip: Try to get one of the balcony tables at the front of the restaurant for elevated views of both The Wolves’ architecture and downtown Los Angeles just outside.

This Highland Park restaurant is worlds away from formal “fine” dining, but there will be few at any price point that can match its Taiwanese street cuisine offerings. Individual dishes here rarely reach $10, meaning that a meal can be put together with tastes from across the menu without running up a big bill. “Street food,” by its nature, isn’t supposed to be fancy, but the care that goes into the thousand-layer pancakes and clamshell buns filled with pork belly can create tastes just as intricate — and often more interesting.

This popular Eagle Rock bistro is in a 1911 Craftsman home, giving dining here the air of a friend’s dinner party. Your friend’s cooking, however, has nothing on the Beast’s burger, a favorite both for locals and those who drive in for a romantic date-night experience. Using handmade pastas from Pasadena’s Semolina elsewhere on the menu adds another home-cooked touch.